It may come as a surprise that the number one factor that prevents Private Practice Owners from achieving amazing success is FEAR!
No, it’s not ‘How to generate new patients’, or ‘How to build a killer team’, or even ‘How to use metrics properly’. Nope, none of these!
It’s simply fear!
Fear of what exactly? That question is a little (or a lot) more complicated.
I’m not a psychologist nor am I going to dive into the inner workings of our brain.
However, after spending considerable time speaking in-depth and candidly with Practice Owners on why they haven’t achieved better results (ie: a certain amount of money, a better organized practice, more vacations, etc), the answer after asking very probing questions, came down to “I am afraid!”.
Before I created my ideal practice where I didn’t have to go into the office and treat or deal with staff problems, before I made well over 30K/month, and even before I took over 137 days off in one year…I was paralyzed by fear.
I clearly remember being so frustrated by circumstances of treating 50 hours per week, having very little time off for family or exercise and making about the same or less than a clinical director.
I remember that I didn’t want this type of practice or life anymore, but not sure what to do about it.
I remember seeking out “experts” who could help me, but making excuses why I didn’t trust ‘this’ coach or ‘that’ program. I created every reason why I shouldn’t work with them or pay for their program.
Although I felt good at the time with my decisions not to work with any of them, my situation didn’t change much and my stress continued to increase!
So, why didn’t I work with them? In retrospect, it came down to fear and hope. Fear of “what if it doesn’t work?” or the hope my situation would somehow change.
Looking back, this mindset cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless memories with my family and friends.
Why? Because every day, month and year I allowed fear to prevent me from achieving my goals and dreams, the more time passed without the results and lifestyle I wanted.
I understand you think it’s a scary world out there.
I understand you want a guarantee of results.
I understand you “can’t afford it” right now.
I understand you think you can do it yourself.
I understand there is fear of the unknown.
I understand that the timing isn’t right.
I understand you’re a risk averse person who views investing in your business education as “risky”.
I understand you’ve worked with people before and have done programs and they didn’t work.
I understand you were “taken advantage of before”.
I understand your situation is different.
Listen, I understand ALL of the reasons because I used them all myself!
However, I also understand that you are capable of SO much more. I know you have bigger dreams for your family, for your practice and for your future.
Will you allow FEAR to stop you from achieving your goals and dreams?
Didn’t you have fear when you first went to college?
Didn’t you have fear when you went to PT school?
Didn’t you have fear when you started your first job?
Didn’t you have fear when you opened your practice?
…and look at you?
You’ve achieved so much! Because although you had fear (which is totally normal and actually helpful), it didn’t STOP you from moving forward.
I doubt every risk you took has paid off, but based on what you’ve accomplished thus far, the rewards have completely outshined the risks.
Why stop now?
There’s more to do!
More people to help!
More of an impact you can make in your community (or in the world!)
More you can provide for your family!
Fear is healthy…it has allowed us to survive for thousands of years (think amygdala).
BUT…allowing fear to stop you from taking the next step forward towards greatness is a crime.
Whatever motivated you to overcome the fears to get where you are now is needed to get where you’re going.
Remember, the huge leap of faith you’re facing is actually a small step!
“We can only help others to the extent we’re willing to help ourselves”
